Portrait Innovations

We took the kids to get their pictures taken. Here are a few - Madeleine 3 years, Braden 3 weeks!

I Love Grandpa!

We made it out of the house this weekend to visit my parents! Madeleine had fun wearing hats with Grandpa and Braden slept most of the time. He wore his "I love Grandpa" shirt over to their house! I love dressing him up!

Camo!

Watch out or you might miss him, Braden is in his camo!

1st Bath Together!

Madeleine & Braden took their first bath together tonight! Despite the look on Braden's face, both kids enjoyed it :-) Madeleine wished Braden could stay in a little longer but all in due time!

Happy baby, all clean!

Swinging to Sleep!

Braden likes the swing as much as Madeleine did! No fancy swing here, this old school swing sure does the trick!

What a good little mama!

Braden received this darling little puppy in the mail from a friend but of course big sissy got a hold of it and started to play with it. She is such a good little mama, rocking Braden's new puppy to sleep!

8 Hours!

Since Braden is back to his birth weight, we were told we don't need to wake him to feed anymore but just feed on demand. He slept 8 hours last night! It felt so good to get some rest but I know this won't last...but it felt so good to get some good sleep!

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

Madeleine & I took Braden on his 1st walk today around the block. I thought it would be good for us to get some fresh air while the sun was shining. Braden didn't seem to enjoy the walk much. I carried him for half of it and he was in the stroller for the other half. Madeleine enjoyed helping me push him around the block though!

Braden was all ready for St. Patty's Day with his festive hat and outfit. We found Madeleine some green to wear too. No Irish food for us tonight though, we opted for Italian and even enjoyed a glass of wine!

Another pic from our day, Jeff & Madeleine playing a game of Dora Matching!

2-week check-up!

Braden had his two-week appointment today! He is looking healthy! He is back up to his birth weight, now weighing 8lbs, 14 oz. He is in the 59th% for weight, 67th% for length, and 16th% for head circumference.

This child likes to eat! My goodness, all I do is feed him! Nursing is going much better this time around so I am happy about that! I've decided that I'm not cut out for cluster feeding from midnight - 2am so he gets a bottle of formula at that time...and sometimes Jeff helps out too at that time so I can get some sleep.

We are really enjoying him! So far, he is a really good sleeper and easy baby. I know it can change at any moment so for now, we are enjoying our calm baby!

Here he is as we head to the doctor!
Grandpa & Grandma stopped by to bring us dinner and for a visit! My dad's 1st time holding Braden!

Madeleine is enjoying her baby brother and wanting to hold him every moment she can! Jeff is still home and will be home for another month so Madeleine is getting plenty of attention from him :-) I actually made it out of the house with her this morning for our first mommy-daughter date to Starbucks for breakfast and to story time. She gave me lots of hugs and kisses which I have missed!

We have had a lot of people stop by to drop off meals and we are so thankful! Life with two is very busy and even with Jeff home, we barely have time to run to the store or make dinner so we are enjoying all of our delicious meals! It is quite a circus trying to get out of house these days so you will usually find me on the couch feeding Braden and Jeff & Madeleine playing downstairs. Jeff & Madeleine get out a few times a week to go to her classes, to the park or the bouncy house! We are trying to enjoy every moment of this precious time.

1st Bath!

Braden is 1 week old today and received his 1st bath from Daddy! Madeleine stood nearby to watch and I took pictures. He smelled so good afterwards and drifted off for a nap!

Madeleine & Braden

Madeleine has been at Grandpa & Grandma Schroeder's house since the birth but has been stopping by almost everyday for a visit! For the most part, things are going well. My mom is keeping her very busy and has taken her to all her classes so she can have some normalcy in her life right now. She seems to really love Braden too! She came the other day and I was feeding Braden and Jeff was on the phone and she got upset. The next time she came over we both greeted her at the door and the visit went much better! She comes home today so wish us luck with two kids!

Enjoy some pics of Madeleine & Braden and a short video clip too!

Braden Jeffrey!

I'm finally get a chance to update the blog with Braden's pictures! Braden was born 4 days early on 3/4/11 and it was a fast delivery! I went into labor around 3:00 am with contractions about every 15 minutes. From there they came quicker and quicker and by the time we left for the hospital at 6:30 am, they were about 1 - 3 minutes apart. I got to the hospital about 7am, in the delivery room at 7:10 and he was born at 7:32am! A quick delivery! No time for an epidural which I had not planned :-) I am not one for pain and this was the most excruciating pain I have ever been in. I don't know how women do natural labor for hours on end. The short time I did was enough! The upside to a natural delivery is that my body feels great, really. I barely have any pain anywhere. Of course we are tired though! The labor was INTENSE!

We are so glad he is here now! He is such a sweetie pie! A good eater and good sleeper so far. Madeleine is doing pretty good too. She has been with her Grandpa & Grandma Schroeder since the birth and will come home tomorrow. She seems to like Braden and is very sweet to him. I think she misses our attention though so we will need to really include her when she comes home. Enjoy some pics!

Here he is right after delivery


Madeleine came to visit the day he was born and received a gift from Braden!

Holding her little brother for the first time

Showing off her BIG SISTER shirt!

We had lots of family and friends come for a visit!

Madeleine came on day 2 for another visit

Grandpa & Grandma Schroeder

I have two kids!

Braden likes to sleep on us, especially daddy because he is so warm!

Going home, hooray!

Braden Jeffrey has Arrived!

Braden Jeffrey has arrived! He arrived on 3/4/11 at 7:32am weighing 8lbs, 11oz and 20 1/2 inches long! We are so excited to finally meet our precious little boy! We are still in the hospital and will post more pics when we get home. We are doing well and trying to rest but it's hard in the hospital. The delivery of our little boy is one for the record books - wow! He was delivered within 22 minutes of arriving at the hospital...no time for an epidural or anything. It was INTENSE! But I have to say, I feel great! Other than the lack of sleep, I feel really good. I wasn't planning on having a natural birth but it went so quickly, I didn't have a choice. I don't know how women do it for hours on end, I could barely take it for the short amount of time I had to endure. But it's already a distant memory as we get to know our darling little boy! We love you Braden!

Madeleine's first love...

Madeleine & Taylor met at the library to do a craft with some other kids! Taylor is Madeleine's first love (other than daddy of course!!!) as you can see in this picture!